Bumbuna Dam

{{Infobox dam | name = Bumbuna Dam | name_official = | image = | image_size = | image_caption = | image_alt = | location_map = Sierra Leone | location_map_size = | location_map_caption = | location_map_alt = | coordinates = {{coord|9|4|17.38|N|11|43|22.43|W|type:landmark|display=inline,title}} | country = Sierra Leone | location = Bumbuna | purpose = Power | status = O | construction_began = 1979 | opening = 2009 | demolished = | cost = US$327 million | owner = | dam_type = Embankment, concrete-face rock-fill | dam_crosses = Seli River | dam_length = {{Convert|440|m|abbr=on}} | dam_height = {{Convert|88|m|abbr=on}} | dam_height_foundation= | dam_height_thalweg = | dam_elevation_crest = | dam_width_crest = | dam_width_base = | dam_volume = | spillway_count = | spillway_type = Bell-mouth | spillway_capacity = | res_name = | res_capacity_total = {{Convert|445|e6m3|acre.ft|abbr=on}} | res_capacity_active = | res_capacity_inactive= | res_catchment = {{Convert|3920|km2|abbr=on}} | res_surface = {{Convert|21|km2|abbr=on}} | res_max_length = | res_max_width = | res_max_depth = | res_elevation = | res_tidal_range = | plant_name = | plant_coordinates = | plant_operator = | plant_commission = 2009 | plant_decommission = | plant_type = | plant_turbines = 2 x {{convert|25|MW|abbr=on}} Francis-type | plant_hydraulic_head = | plant_capacity = {{convert|50|MW|abbr=on}} | plant_annual_gen = | website = https://web.archive.org/web/20140221061321/http://www.bumbuna.sl/ | extra = }} The '''Bumbuna Dam''' is a concrete-face rock-fill dam on the Seli River near Bumbuna in Tonkolili District, Sierra Leone,<ref name=VOA>{{cite web |url=https://www.voanews.com/a/sierra-leones-hydro-power-dam-lighting-up-freetown-84037107/153195.html |title=Sierra Leone's Hydro-Power Dam Lighting Up Freetown |author=Fid Thompson |publisher=Voice of America |date=9 February 2010}}</ref> and {{convert|350|km}} from the capital of Freetown, the main consumer.<ref name=SI>{{cite web |url=http://www.salini-impregilo.com/en/projects/completed/dams-hydroelectric-plants/bumbuna-hydroelectric-power-plant.html |title=Bumbuna Hydroelectric Power Plant |publisher=Salini Impregilo}}</ref> The country's first hydroelectric dam, it supports a {{convert|50|MW|adj=on}} power station.<ref name=VOA/>

The site for the dam at Bumbuna Falls was first identified in 1971, and construction was begun in 1975.<ref name=PT/> Work was halted in May 1997, about 85% completed, due to the Sierra Leone Civil War, and did not restart until 2005.<ref name=PT/><ref name=RT>{{cite web |url=http://www.renewable-technology.com/projects/bumbuna-hydroelectric-power-station-tonkolili-district/ |title=Bumbuna Hydroelectric Power Station, Tonkolili District, Sierra Leone |website=renewable-technology.com}}</ref> The project was completed and went online in 2009.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://2009-2017.state.gov/outofdate/bgn/sierraleone/182274.htm |title=Sierra Leone (11/15/11) |publisher=United States Department of State}}</ref> Nearly a third of the dam's US$327 million cost ($103 million) was supplied by the African Development Bank.<ref name=PT>{{cite web |url=http://www.power-technology.com/projects/bumbuna-station/ |title=Bumbuna Hydroelectric Power Station, Tonkolili District, West Africa, Sierra Leone |website=power-technology.com}}</ref> A 26 January 2005 report noted that 33 villages would be affected by the dam, although only one (of 16 households and 135 people) would require resettlement.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://documents.worldbank.org/curated/en/927461468167368163/pdf/RP2950vol-01.pdf |title=Bumbuna Hydropower Project: Resettlement Action Plan for the Reservoir and Dam Area |author=Dr. Robert Zwahlen |date=26 January 2005 |page=I}}</ref>

The dam has a maximum height of {{convert|87|m}}, a length of {{convert|400|m}} at the crest and a volume of {{convert|2500000|m3}}.<ref name=SI/> The volume of the reservoir created is {{convert|410000000|m3}},<ref name=SI/> {{convert|428000000|m3}}<ref name=VOA/> or {{convert|480000000|m3}}.<ref name=RT/> There are two Francis turbines, each rated for {{convert|25|MW}}.<ref name=PT/>

After completion, the project has been plagued with problems, and barely produces {{convert|10|MW}}<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.africareview.com/business-finance/Why-Sierra-Leones-energy-crisis-just-got-worse/979184-1704108-8wai0y/index.html |title=Why Sierra Leone's energy crisis just about got worse |author=Kemo Cham |date=25 February 2013 |website=africareview.com}}</ref> or {{convert|25|MW}}<ref name=AR>{{cite web |url=http://www.theafricareport.com/West-Africa/sierra-leones-private-sector-rushes-to-fill-the-void-as-dam-disappoints.html |title=Sierra Leone's private sector rushes to fill the void as dam disappoints |author=Kimberly S. Johnson |date=11 September 2013 |publisher=The Africa Report}}</ref> as of 2013.

A second phase is planned, for a {{convert|110|MW|adj=on}} power station.<ref>{{cite web |title=Bumbuna Hydroelectric Power Project Completion Report |url=http://www.bumbuna.sl/admin/images/news/ESAP%20M1%20-%20Final%20Report%2010.11.04.pdf|publisher=Bumbuna Hydro Electric Environmental And Social Management Project |accessdate=25 March 2014}}{{dead link|date=April 2017|bot=medic}}{{cbignore|bot=medic}}</ref> In June 2011, the government announced it had awarded the $750 million Phase II project to Joule Africa, a UK-based company.<ref name=AR/> This will entail a second dam and plant.<ref name=AR/> Construction was set to begin in 2014 and continue on until at least 2017.<ref name=AR/>

==References== {{reflist|30em}}

{{stack|{{Portal|Sierra Leone|Water|Renewable energy}}}}

Category:Dams completed in 2009 Category:Energy infrastructure completed in 2009 Category:Dams in Sierra Leone Category:Concrete-face rock-fill dams Category:Hydroelectric power stations in Sierra Leone Category:Infrastructure in Sierra Leone Category:Tonkolili District